Learn from the experts in the U.K.
Whether you want to begin writing, or find more time and space for it in your busy life, Arvon offers you wide skies and guiding words from published writers in four locations across the U.K. (in Yorkshire, the highlands of Scotland, Shropshire, and Devon). Arvon has 87 courses on offer and you can spend a week on everything from writing poetry, plays, and novels to food writing, journalism, and creative non-fiction. Writers such as Esther Freud and Pat Barker, poets such as Carole Satyamurti, Lemn Sissay, and Simon Armitage and the playwrights Tanika Gupta and Atar Hadari have all started their writing lives as students on these courses. Upcoming courses include Advanced Fiction, Writing for children, Crime Writing, Screenwriting, and Advanced Poetry. For more information, see: www.arvonfoundation.org.
Time to think in Greece
The Skyros Writers’ Lab is a creative environment on Skyros Island-situated in the middle of the Aegean Sea in Greece- away from the routines of a busy life and perfect for writers and thinkers. You’ll learn from top writers and editors, share the joys and struggles of the creative process with fellow scribes, discover your strengths, and polish your skills. Teachers help writers at all stages of development, whether you are a novice with a secret passion for writing or have books under your belt.
Skyros writers’ workshops have built up an excellent reputation over the years. New teachers this year include Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and novelist Patricia Duncker. Skyros works in association with The Literary Consultancy, which has established a reputation for finding and nurturing new writers, and establishing creative links with the increasingly commercial publishing industry.
Courses convene for up to three hours every morning. They may include group and individual exercises, feedback sessions, and varying scenic locations. After lunch you are free to write or relax at the beach before meeting up each evening for dinner.
Skyros also has writing courses in Thailand. For more information, see: www.skyros.co.uk.
Get paid to travel
The American Writer’s and Artist’s Institute (AWAI) holds travel writing workshops throughout the year, as well as a Travel Writer’s Program. These workshops take place in various states in the U.S. and in Paris, France. Run by former International Living editor Jen Stevens, this course teaches you how to write publishable travel articles. You’ll also be provided with the contact information for editors who are happy to work with you, even if you’ve never sold a story before. You’ll be shown proven travel article templates you can model to shave hours off your writing time to advice on what to look for when you travel and how to turn everyday, dull writing into attention grabbing prose. For more information, see: www.thetravelwriterslife.com.
From the Czech Republic to Costa Rica
The Abroad Writer’s Conference is a writing program run by professional authors, poets, screenwriters, and literary agents in the Czech Republic, Thailand, Costa Rica, and France. Each workshop runs for six days. There are small group meetings where participants have personal contact with everyone. Stimulating talks, interviews, readings, Q&A’s, writing workshops, film screenings, private consultations, and social gatherings all take place within a week to ten days. Abroad Writers’ Conference promises you true networking opportunities and full detailed feedback on your writing. Participants will attend two writing workshops and they’ll receive three personal consultations. Workshops are designed to assist writers in the craft and the business of writing. Each workshop consists of 12 to 14 participants. For more information, see: http://www.abroad-crwf.com.
Poetry in Ireland
Salmon Poetry runs regular weekend creative writing workshops in County Clare, Ireland, half a mile north of the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. The workshops include all aspects of writing and publishing. The facilitator is Salmon’s editor Jessie Lendennie, who has conducted workshops all over Ireland and the U.S. for many years. Fee for the weekend is $208, plus the cost of Saturday night B&B accommodation in the lively traditional music village of Doolin ($35 to $55 per person per night, depending on season). Numbers are limited to seven participants per weekend. Sessions run two weekends per month. The workshops take place from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Saturday and 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. More flexible individual sessions can also be booked. For more information, see: www.salmonpoetry.com. IL